Why you need to ask for your promotion now

If you walk into your boss’s office and say, ‘I want a promotion ASAP’, what do you think will happen?

And if it's time to walk?into your boss’s office and say something about promotion but something’s stopping you, this newsletter is for you.

What’s the best way to start that conversation?

And is any of this getting in your way?

I know I’m ready for something more, but I don’t know what I want yet.

My leader needs me to stay where I am now because I’m good at it. ?

There are no roles and no budget, there’s no point in asking.

A bit of secret self-doubt… am I good enough yet to be promoted?

I don't know how to ask. And I’m a communications pro! I should know!

All of the above

Something else (and I’d love to hear what that is in the comments below!)

In my experience of working with communication professionals, all of these can hold you back from asking for your promotion.

There are three pieces to this puzzle which I described in a talk I gave recently to leaders at North American firm, EPI-USE:

1.??How to get clear on what you want.

2.??Easy ways to begin the conversation.

3.??Steps to take once you know you’re committed.

If you know you need help with ALL these things now and don’t want to wait, let’s talk – message me on LinkedIn!

Today, let’s focus on ways to begin the conversation…

If you’re a manager or have been in the past, then you know what it’s like.

And even if you’re not, put yourself in your boss’ shoes.

What keeps a boss up at night?

Just like you, they may be under intense time pressure, delivering last-minute requests for their boss or their boss’s boss, managing challenging budgets, and juggling the needs of a wider team.

We can lose sight of what’s going on in their world.

In my experience, your boss WANTS to help you get promoted!

But they need time to do so. It can take up to a year between beginning the conversation and any real movement.

Give them the time they need to help you.

See it as a collaboration.

That’s why you need to start now.

Here are some ways you might begin the conversation…

1. Link the request to feedback you have received

Make it about your development and embrace feedback. You might say, “I received great feedback on that project. Sam said I was knowledgeable, creative, and hit all my deadlines. I’d like to grow even more in this area, could we talk about a development plan to help me progress?”

2. Link the request to your company’s values

If your company values purpose-driven leadership, you might say, “purpose-driven leadership is a key part of who we are and me too. Progression and growth are part of my purpose. When we discuss my goals, could we include my longer-term career aspirations and promotion opportunities as part of our conversation?”

Be sure to choose one of the company’s values that sincerely speaks to you.

3. Acknowledge the time it can take for your promotion to happen

In my experience, it can take up to 12 months to go from talking about your promotion to achieving it. ?

You might say something like, “I appreciate it can take time to grow my career and achieve promotion. When would it be convenient to start the conversation?”

You may also add, “I’d like us to be collaborative and strategic about it. And I'd like to take responsibility for where I need to develop to get there.”

What do these conversation starters have in common?

There’s generosity in what you're asking for.

It gives you and your leader - and others who want to help you - time to think strategically about it.

It gives you a chance to try things, fail and do better when it’s done strategically and collaboratively.

It respects the time that it may take to help you develop into your next role.

What do you think? What’s your experience? What’s worked for you and what advice would you give others? What have been your stumbling blocks? I’d love to hear more and be able to write/share more about this topic.

If you want more resources or help, please get in touch.

how can I help?

Are you curious about working with a leadership coach who specialises in internal comms?

I can help you make better decisions, build stronger relationships, be more creative and FEEL better.

And you’ll grow your leadership presence and influence.

Take advantage of my free 30-minute session by emailing [email protected] (no selling, just talking).

Until then, come and connect with me on?Linked In?if we're not already connected.

If you have any comms colleagues who you think would benefit from this newsletter, please pass it along.

And remember to click the "Subscribe" button in the upper right corner of the page.